People have got an “extraordinary expertise in destroying things”, said the naturalist and television presenter in the wake of the State of Nature report, which brings together 25 leading conservation groups for the first time to assess the condition of British wildlife.

The results paint a stark picture of a future without dormice, water voles and species of butterflies unless more is done to create havens for wildlife in farms and towns.

The report found that 60 per cent of more than 3,000 species studied have declined over the past 50 years. About 31 per cent are decreasing rapidly. The species in danger include the turtle dove and tortoiseshell butterfly.

“We've got this extraordinary expertise in destroying things, poisoning things and knocking down things,” Sir David said on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.

“The consequences on the wildlife is bound to be that we have less and less.”

He said that the report “confirmed your worst thoughts”, but added: “The reasons are not difficult to find, of course.

“It’s not surprising, they’re getting on for a third more people living in this country over the last 50 years.

“I suspect quite a lot of people are beginning to realise what’s happening. A lot of us, even if we are not dedicated bird watchers, will notice that, hello, we haven’t heard the cuckoo this year, or last year.”

Meanwhile, other species have invaded the UK, Sir David said, with more dragonfly species now in Britain than 50 years ago.

Sir David has also blamed the use of chemicals on farms for the decline.

“The causes are varied, but most are ultimately due to the way we are using our land and seas and their natural resources, often with little regard for the wildlife with which we share them. The impact on animals and plants has been profound,” he said. “The population has increased and is still increasing so there is less and less space available for the natural world.”

Sir David called for better planning of the countryside so that key areas are not built on and derelict areas are returned to nature. “We can stop many of the issues causing the problem. We can also plan better and take greater care of the bits we do not notice.”

He said it was not only the beauty of the countryside in danger but resources such as clean air and water. “If you allow the natural world to gradually decline the consequences are multitudinous. Not just because of the pleasure, delight and glory in looking at wildlife but for the natural systems we depend on like fresh water.”

A separate study of 6,000 species found that more than one in 10 are in danger of extinction. This includes species such as the natterjack toad, great bustard and basking shark.

The conservation groups behind the State of Nature report, including the RSPB and Royal Botanic Gardens, blame development for destroying habitats and intensive farming for killing wildlife. It recommends creating new habitats on farms and in cities and “green corridors” through urban areas.